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friendship, which induced her so eagerly to track the punishment of disobedience. You told William they did not know you by name, and, therefore, I had no reserve on your account; but if you had watched her changing countenance during the recital of our many trials, and heard her words, you would have been consoled, and would have felt assured that her heart is more ready than your own to make excuses for your error."

"Her words!" asked Reginald, eagerly, "what were they?"

"Somewhat vague to my understanding this morning, but perfectly comprehensible now. Chiefly she deplored that her father was not present, and entreated me to repeat to him, on some future occasion, the story of our transgression, and of our futile efforts to win forgiveness, and bring about a reconciliation. And then she pictured the struggle that must ensue, when love and duty are opposed, with a power and feeling that brought tears to my eyes, and made me wonder at a flow of eloquence, such as I had never listened to before."

"I must see her," murmured Reginald.

"Pause!" said William Hamilton, kindly, "it

would be cruel to disturb the serenity she has acquired, unless you could open to her some new source of happiness."

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"And is not this possible?" asked Reginald; even if she banish me from her side-and my heart whispers she will not do this-how sweet would it be to read forgiveness in her eyes, and hear it from her lips"

"To you!" interrupted his brother; "but what would it be to her?"

"As sweet a consolation," said Reginald; and he spoke as one whom it were vain to contradict. "Hearts once joined as ours have been, so formed and fitted for each other, I know now, not even time, and absence, and mutual silence can truly sunder. Yes! I must see her."

William Hamilton and his wife were silent; they felt incompetent to advise, and did not attempt it. Reginald continued, appealing to Louisa:

"There is one thing I would ask-if, indeed, I may claim so sisterly an office-it is, to prepare Marian to receive me; to break to her who her lover really was:-not to offer apologies and excuses

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"Believe me, her own heart has found them, and is your best defender," said Louisa kindly; "but I will do this readily;" and, as she looked up in his face, she could not help adding, "Ah! now I know why Edward is such a favourite."

"A lesson for us, my love," exclaimed her husband, with a smile. "To think now of parental infatuation! We absolutely believed that he owed his high favour entirely to his own adorable qualities, and thought it quite natural of course; when he might have been as handsome as—as his sister, I have no doubt, and a juvenile Crichton to boot, without winning her notice, had he not chanced to have chestnut, curly hair, and a pair of eyes and brow like

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"Forbear!" said Reginald, pressing his hand to his forehead; "thought crowds upon thought; memories come rushing through my brain, and the future seems to glimmer with such uncertainty, that I am hardly sane enough to continue the subject."

William pressed his brother's hand; and that silent gesture was more eloquent than words. He had forced a half-jesting speech to cover deep

feelings; but it failed in its purpose as such attempts generally do. And so the night closed in, with affectionate sympathy, and struggling hopes, and perfect confidence-save that William Hamilton had one new care, which he was too generous to share even with his beloved Louisa!

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CHRISTMAS DAY.-CONCLUSION.

MR. HAMILTON was again seated in his library. Another day had come, and still he had not courage, or was not inclined, to visit the counting-house. Not, however, that his absence was of much conse

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